Drain Cleaning Tips That Prevent Clogs

Drain cleaning clears various drainage pipes and thoroughfares from the house to the outside world. Many homeowners can actually do most of it on their own, especially for the open drains. Pipes, on the other hand, may be a bit tricky because they are closed and require special equipment. Most companies that specialize in odd jobs around the house or plumbing services may be able to address the more difficult issues.

Do It Yourself

For those who wish to try their hand at drain cleaning before calling in the professionals, you might like to start with assessing the entire drainage system to get a handle on how it works. Get to know where the water is sourced and where the pipes take the waste away from the house. Kitchen and bathroom drains are usually the first ones to get clogged or obstructed. Decloggers are the usual remedy for clogs especially those made of human hair and other organic matter. These can be bought in most well stocked groceries and supermarkets. These should be handled carefully and kept out of reach of children and animals because it can eat through organic matter, e.g., skin.

For homeowners who hesitate to use such a dangerous product in their homes, they can use a long metal rod that is flexible enough to go through some of the curves and angles of the pipes and tubes used for plumbing. Using this for drain cleaning may require some ingenuity and patience because it may get stuck in some angles. Some gadgets sold in stores are retractable and made especially for this task.

Professionals

Professional cleaners employ similar tactics but on an industrial scale even if it is just for residences. They are well equipped with the right gadgets, equipment, and materials to handle any kind of obstruction. Decloggers cannot handle dense concentrations of organic matter that may have accumulated through the years, hence the use of other equipment by professionals. In some instances, they might even need to take apart the drainage system in order to clean it up. These experts also know what to do in the event of a backup and they usually anticipate possible after effects of drain cleaning.

Prevention

Preventing clogs is one way of keeping the pipes and drains in good condition. Metal pipes used in old houses can deteriorate and eventually have holes or rust, which lets in soil and other matter. This adds to the obstruction of the pipes. If this happens, it is best to change to the newer PVC pipes that can last longer and withstand exposure to different kinds of elements. Another way of preventing frequent clogs in bathroom drains is to use a strainer or a cover with smaller holes that can catch hair and other debris that contribute to the clog. After bathing, it is best to take out the catcher and dump the contents in the trash in order to prevent it from gathering in the pipes.